Your submandibular glands sit under your jaw, one on each side, and they produce saliva to help you chew and swallow. When one of these glands swells, you will feel a tender lump beneath your jawline. The most common cause is a blocked salivary duct, usually from a small stone, but infections, dehydration, and other conditions can also be responsible. Most cases resolve on their own with hydration, massage, and good oral hygiene, though some require medical treatment.
What Does the Submandibular Gland Do?
The submandibular gland is one of three pairs of major salivary glands in your head. It sits deep under the jawbone and produces about 60 to 70 percent of your resting saliva. This saliva keeps your mouth moist, starts the digestion of starches, and helps wash away bacteria.
Saliva travels from the gland through a tube called Wharton’s duct, which opens under your tongue. If anything blocks that tube, saliva backs up and the gland swells. Understanding this pathway matters because most swelling starts with a blockage, not with the gland itself failing.
What Causes a Swollen Submandibular Gland?
Several conditions can cause this gland to swell. The most common is a salivary duct stone, medically called a sialolith. These stones form when calcium and other minerals crystallize in the saliva. They can be as small as a grain of sand or large enough to block the duct completely.
Dehydration is a frequent contributor. When you do not drink enough water, your saliva becomes thicker and more concentrated, which makes stone formation more likely. Some medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, and certain blood pressure drugs, also reduce saliva flow and increase risk.
Infections are the second major cause. A blocked duct can become infected with bacteria, leading to a condition called sialadenitis. This typically causes more pain, redness, and fever than a simple stone. Viral infections, particularly mumps, can also swell the salivary glands, though mumps is now rare in countries with routine vaccination.
Less common causes include autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, which reduces saliva production, and benign or malignant tumors. Tumors are rare but should be considered if the swelling persists for weeks without improvement.
How Do I Know If It Is a Stone or an Infection?
The symptoms overlap, but some differences help distinguish them. A stone usually causes swelling that comes and goes, especially around mealtimes. When you eat, your gland produces more saliva, but the blocked duct cannot release it, so the gland swells and hurts. After the meal, the pressure eases and the swelling subsides.
An infection typically causes more severe, constant pain. The gland feels hard and tender, the skin over it may look red, and you may develop a fever. You might also notice a foul taste in your mouth or pus draining from the duct opening under your tongue.
If you have both swelling and fever, or if the pain is severe, see a doctor promptly. An untreated infection can spread into the deep tissues of the neck, which is a serious condition.
How Is a Swollen Submandibular Gland Treated at Home?
For mild swelling without fever, home care is often effective. The goal is to increase saliva flow and flush out any blockage.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for enough that your urine is light yellow.
- Sour candies or lemon drops: Sucking on these stimulates saliva production, which may push a small stone out.
- Warm compresses: Apply a warm, damp cloth to the swollen area for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
- Gentle massage: Using your fingers, massage the gland in an upward motion toward your ear. This can help move a stone toward the duct opening.
- Good oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly. Rinsing with warm salt water can also soothe the area.
These measures work best for small stones. If the swelling does not improve within a few days, or if it worsens, seek medical evaluation.
When Should I See a Doctor?
See a doctor if you have any of the following signs. These indicate a more serious problem that home care will not fix.
- Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
- Severe or worsening pain
- Swelling that lasts more than two weeks
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Pus draining from under your tongue
- A hard, fixed lump that does not change size
A doctor can usually diagnose the cause with a physical exam. They may order imaging such as ultrasound or a CT scan to look for stones. Ultrasound is often the first choice because it is quick, painless, and does not involve radiation.
What Medical Treatments Are Available?
If a stone is too large to pass on its own, a doctor can often remove it in the office. The procedure, called sialendoscopy, uses a tiny camera inserted into the duct to locate and retrieve the stone. It is minimally invasive and has a high success rate.
For larger or deeply lodged stones, lithotripsy may be used. This uses shock waves to break the stone into smaller pieces that can pass naturally. In rare cases, surgery to remove the gland itself is necessary, but this is usually a last resort.
If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed. The specific antibiotic depends on the bacteria involved, but amoxicillin-clavulanate is commonly used. You should finish the full course even if you feel better.
For chronic or recurrent swelling, your doctor may recommend measures to keep saliva flowing well, such as staying hydrated and chewing sugar-free gum after meals.
Can a Swollen Submandibular Gland Be a Sign of Cancer?
Cancer of the submandibular gland is rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all cancers. However, it is a possibility, especially if the swelling has specific features.
Signs that raise concern include a lump that is hard, fixed to the surrounding tissue, and growing steadily. Pain, facial weakness, or numbness in the lower lip can also be warning signs. If you have these symptoms, a doctor may recommend a biopsy to rule out malignancy.
Most swollen submandibular glands are not cancer. Stones and infections account for the vast majority. But persistent swelling that does not respond to treatment deserves proper evaluation.
How Can I Prevent Future Swelling?
Prevention focuses on keeping saliva thin and flowing. Drinking enough water every day is the single most important step. If you take medications that dry your mouth, talk to your doctor about whether alternatives exist.
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals stimulates saliva and helps clear the ducts. Staying consistent with oral hygiene reduces the bacteria that can cause infection. If you have had one stone, you are at higher risk for another, so these habits matter even more.
Some evidence suggests that a diet low in refined sugars and adequate in citrus fruits may help, but no large trials have confirmed this. The core preventive measures remain hydration and regular saliva stimulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a swollen submandibular gland last?
With treatment, most cases improve within a few days to a week. If the swelling lasts more than two weeks, see a doctor for evaluation.
Can a swollen submandibular gland go away on its own?
Yes, mild swelling from a small stone or dehydration often resolves with increased water intake and saliva stimulation. If it does not improve within a few days, seek medical advice.
Is a swollen submandibular gland an emergency?
Most cases are not emergencies, but seek urgent care if you have a fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or severe pain. These can indicate a spreading infection.
What does a submandibular gland stone feel like?
It typically causes swelling and pain under the jaw that worsens during meals. You may also feel a hard lump and have a dull ache that comes and goes.
